Shanghai Airports to the City: Pudong & Hongqiao
How to get from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) airports into the city — maglev, metro, bus, the cross-airport line and taxi, with times and prices.
Shanghai has two airports, and the fast, cheap way into the city depends on which one you land at. This guide covers Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) — plus the new 40-minute link between them — with 2026 times and prices.
The two airports
| Pudong (PVG) | Hongqiao (SHA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from center | ~40 km | ~13 km |
| Fastest option | Maglev, 7 min | Metro, 25–40 min |
| Cheapest option | Metro Line 2, ¥8 | Metro, ¥3–5 |
| Good for | International flights | Domestic + high-speed rail |
From Pudong Airport (PVG)
- Maglev (fastest): about 7–8 minutes to Longyang Road, then metro Line 2 into the center. ¥50 (¥40 with your same-day boarding pass) plus the metro fare. Runs roughly 7am–10:40pm every 15–20 min.
- Metro Line 2 (cheapest): direct from Pudong Airport through Lujiazui, People’s Square and East Nanjing Road in 45–70 minutes for ¥4–10. Cheap and reliable, busy at peak.
- Airport bus: lines cover People’s Square, Jing’an, the railway stations and more; the Airport Line 1 (to Hongqiao) is ¥36, ~60–70 min. Night lines run after 11pm for late arrivals.
- Taxi / ride-hailing: ¥150–200 to the center by day, ¥180–230 at night, 50–70 min depending on traffic.
From Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
- Metro Lines 2 and 10: to People’s Square, Nanjing Road and Jing’an in 25–40 minutes — the simplest airport transfer in Shanghai. Hongqiao also contains the high-speed rail station, so train travelers are already in the same complex.
- Taxi / ride-hailing: about 25 minutes to the Bund and cheaper than Pudong — the easy choice with luggage.
Transferring between the airports
- Airport Link Line (new): opened December 2024, connecting Hongqiao T2 and Pudong T1/T2 in about 40 minutes for ¥26 — a third of the old metro time. Runs ~6am–10:15pm every ~15 min.
- Metro Line 2: the slow-but-cheap option, ~100–120 minutes for ¥8.
- Airport Line 1 bus: direct, ~60–70 min, ¥36.
Which should you choose?
| Situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| Land at SHA | Metro, straight to the center |
| Land at PVG, want speed | Maglev → Longyang Rd → Line 2 |
| Land at PVG, want cheap | Metro Line 2 all the way |
| Late-night arrival | Night bus or taxi |
| Transferring airports | Airport Link Line (40 min, ¥26) |
Practical tips
- Use official channels only — the official taxi rank or licensed ride-hailing; skip anyone who approaches you in the terminal.
- Set up payment first: Alipay transit codes cover the maglev, metro and buses — see our payments guide.
- Know your hotel area: most stays cluster near People’s Square, the Bund or the French Concession — see where to stay in Shanghai.
- Returning: leave generous time from Pudong — immigration and security at a big airport take a while.
- Metro help: our Shanghai metro guide has the system map and transit tips.
Where this fits
Shanghai is the start or finale of the 7-day, 10-day and two-week routes, and the base for day trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou. For the city itself, see the Shanghai guide.
Fares and times as of August 2026, based on official Shanghai transport announcements — confirm current schedules before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Shanghai airport should I use?
Hongqiao (SHA) is much closer to the center and better connected by metro — most domestic flights use it. Pudong (PVG) handles most international routes and is further out, but the maglev makes it fast. If you have a choice, SHA is easier; if you're transferring between them, the Airport Link Line now takes just 40 minutes.
Is the Shanghai maglev worth it from Pudong?
It's the famous option — about 7–8 minutes from Pudong to Longyang Road station, then change to metro Line 2. It costs ¥50 (¥40 with your same-day boarding pass) plus the metro fare, and it's more a time-saver and an experience than a necessity. For pure economy, metro Line 2 does the same route in about 45–70 minutes for ¥8.
How do I get from Pudong to the city on the metro?
Metro Line 2 runs from Pudong Airport station through the city center — Lujiazui, People's Square and East Nanjing Road — in about 45–70 minutes for ¥4–10. It's cheap and reliable; just avoid peak-hour crush with luggage. See our [Shanghai metro guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/shanghai-metro-guide/).
How do I get from Hongqiao to the center?
Metro Lines 2 and 10 from Hongqiao reach People's Square, Nanjing Road and Jing'an in about 25–40 minutes — the easiest airport-to-city trip in Shanghai. Hongqiao is also where the high-speed rail station is, so if you're arriving by train you're already in the same complex.
What about late-night flights?
The airport night bus (守航夜宵线) runs from about 11pm until roughly 45 minutes after the last flight, covering Longyang Road, Century Avenue and Yan'an East Road. Taxis are the other option — overnight fares from Pudong run about ¥180–230 to the center.